While preparing the schedule of Connecting Cortland Communities articles for the remainder of 2009, I noted a common theme in many articles.  Many discussed how important it is to talk about substance abuse with our children.  Why does repetition of prevention messages matter so much?  The following is a summary from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report:Exposure to Substance Use Prevention Messages and Substance Use Among Adolescents:  2002 to 2007 may suggest some answers to that question.

Adolescents are exposed to influences that may increase their risk for substance use or protect them from it.  Substance use prevention programs generally are designed to decrease the influence of risk factors and increase the influence of protective factors.  Substance abuse prevention messages and programs are provided through parents, the media, schools and other sources.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health asks adolescents (youths aged 12-17) whether they have been exposed to prevention messages in the past 12 months through parental sources (talked with at least one parent about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol or drug use) and media sources (seen or heard any alcohol or drug prevention messages from sources such as posters, pamphlets, radio, or TV). In addition, adolescents are asked whether they have been exposed to prevention messages in the past 12 months through school sources (special class about drugs or alcohol in school; films, lectures, discussion, or printed information about drugs or alcohol in one of their regular school classes such as health or physical education; and films, lectures, discussions, or printed information about drugs or alcohol outside of regular classes such as in a special assembly).  They are also asked whether they have participated in the past 12 months in an alcohol, tobacco, or drug prevention program outside of school.

What were the key findings of the survey from 2002 to 2007?  1)  From 2002-2007, there were decreases in the percentages of adolescents reporting exposure to drug or alcohol use prevention messages through media sources and prevention programs outside of school.  But, the percentage who had talked with their parents about the dangers of alcohol, drug, or tobacco use in the past year increased. 2) Combined data from 2002 to 2007 indicate that talking with a parent about the dangers of substance use decreased with age, whereas the percentage receiving prevention messages through media sources increased with age.  3)  In general, adolescents who reported having been exposed to substance use prevention messages in the past year were less likely to have used cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs in the past month than those who were not exposed to substance abuse prevention messages.  (Highlighting mine) 

In each year of the data presented in the report, the majority of adolescents received substance use prevention messages through the media, school and parents.  It is important to note, however, that many 12 to 17 year olds did not receive such messages through these sources.  For instance, in 2007, about 30 percent did not receive prevention messages through school sources, and 40 percent did not talk with one of their parents about the dangers of substance use.  The authors conclude that continued vigilance is necessary to ensure adolescents are receiving prevention messages.  

The report also reinforced findings from previous studies that emphasize the impact of parental and school involvement on the prevention of substance use.  The prevalence of substance use was lower among adolescents exposed to prevention messages through parental and school sources than among those who were not exposed.

Jo Ann Wickman is Chair of CACTC's PR.Com workgroup and a member of the Board.